Quintessential England: food and drink

Afternoon tea The afternoon tea ritual
is thought to trace back to Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford. The tradition continues to thrive today in venues throughout the country, including at the historic Fortnum & Mason
in London, which opened its doors in 1707. Afternoon tea takes place in the store's refurbished St James restaurant, relaunched as The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon last year by the Duchess of Cornwall and Duchess of Cambridge. The Ritz in London
, meanwhile, is a member of the Tea Council's prestigious Tea Guild, serving 17 different types of loose leaf tea with a traditional English tea menu featuring finger sandwiches and scones with clotted cream. The Royal Crescent Hotel
in Bath is another good option.